Some residents are calling on the City Council to adopt a resolution calling for a constitutional amendment to limit money in American politics.
A group led by Jerry Provencher and others has named the gathering “Show Your Love for Democracy.” The meeting is Thursday, Feb. 21, at City Hall.
The group wants the Bath City Council to duplicate the result reached by 36 Maine communities and, last week, by the Brunswick Town Council, which voted 6-3 to support a resolution opposing the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling known as Citizens United.
A constitutional amendment would reverse the 2008 U.S. Supreme Court decision, known as Citizens United, which grants corporations the same First Amendment rights at private citizens. The decision has allowed for what amounts to unlimited spending on elections.
Halycon Blake, owner and founder of Halcyon Yarn, spoke passionately on the issue during the Feb. 6 City Council meeting.
Blake spoke of the “illfounded” Citizens United decision that empowers Super PACs. The last national elections campaign disgusted her, Blake said. The advertisements, she said, were deceitful.
“We were bombarded by ads,” Blake said. “I can tell you I did not feel better informed by this Super PAC campaign. I felt infuriated by it.”
Blake went on to say that “we, the people,” should take precedent over so-called “corporate citizens.”
The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.; refreshments will be served.
lgrard@timesrecord.com
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